Croatia’s Adriatic coast has hundreds of islands and dozens of historic port towns. On a small ship cruise, you’ll typically visit five or six across a week. Here are our top picks for Croatia cruise stops — and why each one deserves your time.
- Split — the largest city on the Dalmatian coast and the most common starting port. The historic centre sits inside the walls of Diocletian’s Palace, a 4th-century Roman imperial residence. Step off the ship and walk straight into 1,700 years of history.
- Dubrovnik — the most famous walled city on the Adriatic and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Cruise ships dock at Port Gruž, about 1.5 km from the Old Town. Walking the city walls is the must-do activity — allow around two hours.
- Hvar — Croatia’s sunniest island, famous for lavender fields and a 13th-century fortress overlooking the harbour. The marble-paved main square is the largest in Dalmatia. Expect one of the liveliest summer scenes on the Adriatic.
- Korčula — a fortified medieval town on a small peninsula, often called “little Dubrovnik”. Reputedly the birthplace of Marco Polo. The herringbone street layout catches sea breezes while blocking strong winds.
- Mljet — the greenest major Croatian island and home to Mljet National Park. The park covers the western third of the island. Two saltwater lakes contain a small islet with a 12th-century Benedictine monastery. Legend says Odysseus was held here by the nymph Calypso for seven years.
More Croatia Cruise Stops You Might Visit
Beyond these top picks for Croatia cruise stops, your itinerary may also include Trogir (a tiny UNESCO-listed town near Split), Vis (the most remote inhabited Croatian island), Šibenik (gateway to Krka National Park’s waterfalls), Opatija (a 19th-century Austro-Hungarian resort), or the Elaphiti Islands (a small archipelago north of Dubrovnik).
For a complete list of ports, see our Croatia Cruise Port Info page.
How to Reach These Cruise Stops
Almost all Croatian small ship cruises start in Split or Dubrovnik. You visit the other ports along the way. One-way cruises (Split to Dubrovnik or the reverse) generally cover more ground than return loops from a single port. Browse our Croatia cruises to see specific itineraries.
To book or ask about a specific route, call or WhatsApp +61 2 9212 1507, or get in touch.